Though I have not yet been, Acadia National Park looks amazing! And October seems to be a great time to visit due to the smaller crowds and cooler hiking weather along trails such as Beehive Loop or the Shore Path. While there, it is recommended to drive the scenic Park Loop Road, bike the historic Carriage Roads, and visit the Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, located on the southwestern corner of Mount Desert island within the park.
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Photo by Chad Sparkes
Though I visited here in the month of April (and it was nice), October is another good choice as well. You will experience warm days in the mid-70s mixed with fewer summer crowds and warmer ocean water. Dolphin watching, golfing, kayaking, and fall festivals can all be enjoyed at this time of the year. You won’t want to miss the Hilton Head Island Oktoberfest or Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off & Jeep Island.
Oahu, Hawaii
Photo by Deb Nystrom
Oahu is a magnificent island, with warm weather in October and the Hawaii Food & Wine Festival happening. This is ideal for hiking to Diamond Head, snorkeling at Hanuama Bay, relaxing on Waikiki Beach, and exploring Pearl Harbor. Plus the first whales start arriving from Alaska this month, so be on the lookout for them!
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Photo by Mark Bonica
This city is known for its world-famous International Balloon Fiesta, which is at the beginning to mid-October. It also makes for perfect mild weather to walk around the Albuquerque Old Town area. The Sandia Peak Tramway also offers incredible views of the fall foliage and the city. A hidden gem is said to be the Tinkertown Museum, full of unique architecture, eccentric collections, and interactive displays.
New England
Photo by Andy Thrasher
If you love fall foliage, New England would be a great road trip to take during this season. Stop in Woodstock, Vermont for a cute town known for its classic beauty, ride Mount Washington Cog Railway for exceptional sights, or take a trek at Dixville Notch State Park to see a lake, colorful trees, and Table Rock, a steep granite ledge. Other options include Salem, if that is your cup of tea, or the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in Providence, Rhode Island.
Have a great October vacation if you plan to take one. Or I hope this helped you choose where to go!
If you need a getaway but also would like to maintain social distancing, a road trip might be the perfect solution for you. There are alternatives to staying in a hotel that may be safer. You can rent an RV/camper, rent a private cabin or Airbnb, or go tent camping. Here is a list of amazing spots that you can take a road trip to throughout the United States:
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming
Yellowstone is located in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, consisting of almost 3,500 square miles. It contains geysers, canyons, rivers/lakes, hot springs, forests, and hiking trails, all scattered throughout. The most well-known destinations located within the park are the Grand Prismatic Spring and the Old Faithful Geyser.
The Canyons of Arizona
Grand Canyon, South Rim, Arizona
The famous one that everyone should already known about is the Grand Canyon. The South Rim of the Grand Canyon has the greatest views and is the most suitable path for hiking. Much further north is the Antelope Canyon, which is described as a slot canyon with upper and lower sections. The Upper Antelope Canyon is easily accessed, as it is located on ground level. Meanwhile, Lower Antelope Canyon is a more difficult hike, even with the stairs for visitors to walk down, but draws people in due to the beauty of the spiral rock arches.
Blue Ridge Mountains
Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
These mountains get the name from their blue tint that is seen from a distance. It is located in the eastern part of the United States, from Pennsylvania, down to Georgia. The highest peak of the mountains is Mt. Mitchell in North Carolina. In this range are the popular national parks, Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains. Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia, and has trails leading to waterfalls, mountains, and limestone caves like Luray Caverns. From the overlooks, you can get gorgeous views of the sunrise or sunset. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is a mountain range along the borders of North Carolina and Tennessee. It has scenic valleys, nature trails, rivers, and waterfalls.
Appalachian Trail
Clingmans Dome
From Maine to Georgia, there are countless places to start hiking on the Appalachian Trail. It has various types of scenery on this 2,200 mile path. Hikers have arguably ranked McAfee Knob, Mount Katahdin, and Clingmans Dome as some of the top places to visit.
Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier & Eunice Lake, Washington
Mount Rainier itself is an active stratovolcano located in the state of Washington. Besides mountains, the park is filled with waterfalls, glaciers, blue lakes, and wildflower fields (only in July and August). Scenic gondola rides are offered with breathtaking views of Mount Rainier and the Cascade Mountains. Tipsoo Lake Loop and Snow Lake Trails are must-sees while you are there.
Glacier National Park
Upper Grinnell Glacier, Montana
This national park is located in Montana, right on the United States/Canadian border. It has over 700 miles of trails for visitors to hike on, as well as, part of the Rocky Mountains. Glacier National Park is filled with hundreds of lakes and waterfalls. The largest lake in it is Lake McDonald. In it is an abundance of naturally colored rocks that can be seen from Apgar Village. Some recommended paths are Hidden Lake Trail or Grinnell Glacier Trail.
Acadia National Park
Jordan Pond, Maine
Acadia is on the coast of Maine, consisting of rocky beaches, ponds, and forests. Jordan Pond, Cadillac Mountains, and Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse have excellent views of the sunrises and sunsets. The best time to visit would be September to November if you are interested in colorful fall foliage.
Zion National Park
Angels Landing, Utah
Located in Utah is Zion National Park. The red cliffs, waterfalls, hanging gardens, and emerald pools are what draws visitors in. You will want to see the Lower Emerald Pools, Angels Landing, and The Narrows while in that recreation area.
Arches National Park
Delicate Arch, Utah
Arches National Park is in Grand County, Utah. It is such a unique location with over 2,000 natural red arches. The Delicate Arch Trail is rated the #1 in the park.
Olympic National Park
Hoh River Trail, Washington
The beautiful national park is found in Washington state. Inside it are alpine areas, rainforests, and the coastline. If you are looking to explore a temperate rainforest, Hoh River Trail is a great option. If you take the Third Beach Hike, you will end up on the pacific coast.
Silver Falls State Park
Middle North Falls, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
In Oregon is Silver Falls State Park. If you love waterfalls, like myself, you will really enjoy this recreation area. Along the Trail of Ten Falls is 7.9 miles of 10 incredible waterfalls.
There are so many breathtaking parks to choose from all over the United States. I would love to visit them all!
A Sweet Paradise 
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